The Indian bitter melon, or bitter melon, is not as well-known in the United States as it is in Asia. For centuries, people have cultivated this unusual fruit for a variety of culinary and medicinal uses.
Identification
The Indian bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia) is a tropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae that bears a distinctive fruit that is bumpy, green and elongated. The fruit of the contains large, flat seeds, a thin flesh layer and a thick, rubbery skin.
Geography
Indian bitter melon can be grown in any tropical or subtropical area, but is primarily cultivated in the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia, southern China and southern India.
Culinary Uses
The flesh and juice of the bitter melon are used in cuisine throughout Asia, particularly in pork dishes. Bitter melon is found in soup and tea, especially in China. Certain ingredients are usually paired with bitter melon to offset the strong taste, including potatoes, coconut, shrimp and yogurt.
Medicinal Benefits
The juice, leaves and fruit of the have been used medicinally for centuries. Most Asian cultures believe that bitter melon can prevent malaria, treat diabetes and fuel metabolism. In Okinawa, the juice of the bitter melon is credited for the long lives of the island's residents.
Warning
Beware of the extremely bitter taste of the fruit's flesh and juice. Consumption of large amounts of either can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The fruit can also lower blood sugar, so those with hypoglycemia should not eat it or foods prepared with it.
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